OS1/34/2/29

Continued entries/extra info

[page] 29

Parish Abercorn -- Sheet 2 -- No.11 -- Trace 2

"The Roman wall or "Vallum Antonini" Connecting the Friths of Forth and Clyde
has been styled by some writers the Wall of Abercorn it is however matter of dispute
whether that line of defence extended so far east. Sir Robert Sibbald indeed writing
from his own observation and Ponts Former Survey says that the wall passed Abercorn
and terminated at the "laird of Mauer's Windmill" which occupied and abrupt eminence
at the commencement of the eastern approach to Hopetoun House where traces of escarpment
are still visible" - (Sibbalds Historical Inquiries page 31 quoted in New Stat. Acct. [Statistical Account])

"Bede however states that the wall terminated at Penfahel or Penneltum distant about
two Roman miles from the Monastery of Aebercurnig. This language would apparently
determine Blackness as the "Penfahel" or "head of the Wall." A prolongation or outwork may
have been at some period continued along the coast as far as the "Windmill Knowe."
No light has been thrown on the subject by the discovery of monuments or inscriptions --
New Stat. Acct. [Statistical Account] of Co. [County] Linlithgow page 26